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HarperCollins has revamped the look of Sam Bourne's latest novel and switched it to B-format in a bid to "step up" its promotion of the author. The Chosen One is published in paperback on 27th May.
The thriller is about newly elected and highly popular US president Stephen Baker. However, political enemy Vic Forbes has a piece of information about the president that could destroy his career. When Forbes is found murdered, it sparks fears about a conspiracy. Publishing director Jane Johnson described the book as a "step up and away" from the religious thrillers that Bourne previously wrote. Sam Bourne is the pseudonym of Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland.
Johnson said: "As Jonathan's main strength is politics, he's able to go under the skin of what is going on. But it's still a tremendous page-turning thriller." The switch to B-format has given HarperCollins the space to redesign the look of Bourne's books. Johnson said that his backlist would also make the switch but no date has been confirmed. She said: "I love B-format; it just feels much more substantial in your hands."
HarperCollins is planning a "massive" consumer campaign with advertisements on buses, railway stations, London Underground and billboards.
Johnson said: "A huge campaign is a rare thing at the moment. It's so important to back your winners, especially– in a tough market."